Number selector



March 17, 1936. H. A. HIGHsToNE NUMBER SELECTOR INVENTOR. #Aww A.H/GHWGNE.

iled Dec. 22, 1954 Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFF'ICE 4Claims.

My invention relates to number selectors and more particularly to adevice by which listed numbers may be individually selected, at will. Myinvention is particularly adaptable for use in checking the numbers ofstolen automobiles.

Among the objects of my invention are: To provide a means for setting upa predetermined list of numbers or characters and thereafter by settingup a number to determine whether or not the latter number was originallyincluded in the first list. To provide a means for checking auto.-mobile numbers. To provide a means for determining whether or not anumber isI on a list, this determination being accomplished in less timethan could be accomplished by visual inspection of the list.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specificallypointed out in the description forming a part of this speciiication, butI do not limit myself to the embodiment of the invention hereindescribed, as various forms may be adopted within the scope of theclaims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly inelevation of a particular embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken at right angles to the view shown inFigure l.

The broad aspect of my invention may be more particularly understood byreference to the drawing. A character chart IF is mounted in a movingframe 2` on rollers 3--3 and 4, a single lower arm 5 being extended fromthe frame 2 to contact a roller 4. These rollers are provided withflanges 6 so that the entire frame may slide laterally in uprightposition. A plurality of such charts are provided and so positioned thateach frame may move in a parallel plane with relation to the others, andare similarly mounted on rollers.

The charts are provided with a plurality of horizontal divisions, eachrow comprising a character series. In this case, the upper row 'l ofeach chart is a number series beginning with I, ending with zero, andwith an additional division which is provided with an aperture I0. Onall the charts the upper row contains the same identical 'characters andare, when the charts are lined up, registered, so. that the divisionsand numbers will all be in line. Below the upper line are a plurality ofadditional character series II which may be the same as those in theupper row. It will be seen that the number of character series which canbe placed on a single card will be limited only by the depth of thecard, 55 and it is quite possible to get several hundred of these serieson a single card without increasing the size to which it cannot bereadily handled.

For purposes of illustration, considering the keyboard as the front, Ihave chosen to call the left hand card IA, the next `card IB, the nextIC 5` and so on to the last or right hand card, which I' designate ascard IF.v I prefer then to use card IA for the rst digit of siXcharacter numbers, IB for the second digit, IC for the third, ID for thefourth, IE for the fifth and IF for the sixth. In 10. pre-setting thecharts, therefore, I punch card IA with a hole in the square enclosingthe digit corresponding to the irst digit ofV thek number set up; andthen punch IB for the next digit with a hole corresponding to the nextdigit, IC the 15 next and so forth until the entire number has, beenpunched out, using only for this number the rst row of characters at thetop of the chart. The next number set up will be set upv on the secondrow, the third on the third and the fourth 20 on the fourth until theentire chart has set upon it, as punched holes, all the numbers it isdesired to list on the charts.

In this regard, it may be pointed out, that with so-called automobilenumbers, it is common in 25 some states to have one of the series in thenumber a letter. In this case, if a letter appears asv the second digitof a state series, chart IB may be made wider than the number charts.and printed to include all the letters of the alphabet; 30. 01 thealphabet may be split in the middle, and placed on two charts. If itshould happen that the letters are placed in other positions in thenumber, the chart corresponding to that position may be made a letterchart. There also may 35 be other uses which will be later suggestedwhere all the character series would be lettersv instead oi numbers.

I prefer to enclose the entire series of' charts in a case I2 to whichthe rollers 3-3 and 4 are 40 attached. The charts are maintained intheir starting position by means of a release latch I4 held againstchart stops I5 formed on all of the extended arms 5. The latch I4 isheld against the stop by a latch spring I5 and is operated from 45outside the case by a release key Il through a latch arm I8 and a latchpivot I9. Each individual extension arm 5 is provided with an actuatingspring 20 afxed to the case and tending to pull the charts against thelatch and over the rollers 50 toward the keyboard. One end of the deviceis provided with a sloping surface 2| upon which a key assembly ismounted. Keys 22 correspond to. the character series on each chart,including the key for the blank or aperture space I0 on the 56 chart,and as shown, are lined up in the plane in which each chart operates.Each key comprises a single rod 24 which is given a three point supportby a key aperture 25 in the sloping face of the case and by aperturesthrough two key plates 26 mounted within the case. Each key is alsoprovided with an upper stop 2l bearing against the upper key plate 26and held in that position by a key spring 29. In this normal positionthe lower end of the key rod 24 just misses the top of the stop I5 soifthe release key I1 were pushed, the chart would be released to rolltoward the keyboard under the urge of spring 2B without being stoppedalong its course. When, however, one of the keys is depressed, a rodnotch 30 is engaged by spring controlled latch bar 3| so that the keystays in depressed condition. The key rod when depressed is put in aposition so that the end will engage notch I5 of the chart and stop thetravel of the chart toward the key board atv that position. Y

For example, taking the chart shown in plan inA Figure 2, if key 22A isdepressed and locked in depressed condition and release key II operated,the chart I along with the others will roll on its rollers toward thekeyboard and will stop when the stop I5 enga-ges the lower end of thekey rod attached to key 22A. Thus, each one of the charts released willstop in accordance with the setting of the keys 22 in their individualnumber series. I prefer to set up the number I desire on the keyboardand then release the charts. Each chart will come to rest its own properdistance along its path as determined by the key settings. When it isdesired to return the charts to the starting position, lever 32 isoperated to cause the return arm 33 to pick up each chart and push themtoward the original position, and as they arrive at that position, latchI A drops again behind the stop on each chart to hold them all instarting position until again released.

Y After the latch I 4 has engaged the stops I5,

V the return arm 33 is returned to a position shown by a dotted line 34by a return spring 35 operating through a key release bar 36 and an armrod 3l. The upper part of the key release bar is attached to series ofrelease pins 38, each having a number of key latch pins 39 positioned tokick the latch bars out of rod notches 30 to allow the keys to return tonormal position. If a mistake in set up is made before the charts arereleased, lever 32 may be operated to release the keys for correction.

I then/prefer to provide indicating means to show when apertures whichpreviously have been punched on the chart, are in line. I do this byproviding on one side of the case a light housing 110 containing a lamp4I which is preferably of the so-called bung hole type, having a longsingle filament, preferably the length of the charts. I place this lightin upright position so that the lament will throw its light through anupright slot 42 in the side wall of the case to illuminate the digits onthe left hand chart in a single line extending from the top of the chartto the bottom. On the other side of the case, directly opposite, Iposition a mirror 43 at an angle so that any light passing through thecharts at any level will be reflected forward to the eyes of theoperator sitting at the keyboard. In this regard, I prefer to have acase 44 surrounding the mirror, the portion I5 of the vcase toward theo-perator being preferably of ground glass and in some instances itA isadvantageous to havea redllter in the light line so that the spots shownon the ground glass will be red in color, thus making the spot morevisible in day light.

In discussing over-all operation of the device,

let us assume that the charts have been punched with automobile numberscorresponding to several hundred stolen cars. The number selector withits operator is preferably positioned at a strategic position on thehighway where the operator can take the numbers of cars that pass. It isof course not known in the beginning whether the number of the passingcar is on the list set up in the chart or not. My device will tell theoperator immediately whether this number is on the list. For example, ifwe assume that the number of a passing automobile is 123 456, as soon asthe operator sees the number, he presses key No. l in the left handnumber series, key No. 2 in the next series, key No. 3 in the next, 4 inthe next, 5 in the next and 6 in the last. He then presses the releasekey I1 and all the charts move forward to their respective positions, asdetermined by the depressed keys, chart No. 1A moving forward only ashort distance, 1B a little further, 1C still further, so that characterspaces on all of the character series are in the relation 123 456 in theline of the light path through the casing,

so that if these numbers were previously punched` out on the list at anylevel there is a clear path at that level through from the lamp 4I totheY mirror d3 and thence to the ground glass, an indic-ation being shownon that glass in the form of a spot of light. The operator knows thatall the cars listed on his chart are stolen, therefore, he knows if hegets a light response that the car number he has just set up on hiskeyboard is that of a stolen car. He may then notify other officersstationed in a position to stop the suspected car. After one number hasbeen set up the charts are returned to the starting position and thenumbers of other cars that come along are set up as they appear.

The time required for a complete set up is very small-much less thanthat which would be necessary for the perusal of an extended list ofnumbers, and as several hundred numbers can be set up on the charts, thecheck-up on stolen cars may be much more thorough than is at presentpossible when either relying on the memory of an o-nicer or on a visuallist.

While I have described my device as being adapted particularly for thedetection of stolen automobiles, it should be understood that anycombination of numbers or letter characters can be used on the chartsfor any purpose, as may be suggested to those skilled in the art, fromthe description given above.

It will be noticed that I have provided on one end of my chart acomplete series of apertures.`

I prefer to call these apertures blanks. These blanks are'used todistinguish between series of numbers which have less than six digits,and those beginning or ending with zeros. For example, the number 00525would be punched on the charts 00525,Abut the number 525 could be eitherset up as blank-blank 525 or 525 blankblank. In other words, these blankspaces are simply to allow light to go through where num-V bers are lessthan the numberof digits on theV complete key board. It is also possibleto use, for example, other means for getting the indication. An eyeletmachine could be used on vthe charts whereby a brass eyelet or similarcontact could be inserted in the card so when the proper number linedup, an electrical Ycontact wouldbc` made passing through all the eyeletson the chart. It is also possible to use sliding shims on each numberseries with a permanent hole therein which can be slid back and forthuntil the hole is in the proper number position. If this is done,however, other provisions should be made for the blank or permanentlyapertured position.

Other modifications of the device will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, and I do not wish to be limited to the ilat charts. The sameresult can be obtained from the use of concentric cylinders, theapertures being punched in spaces provided for them on the cylinders andthe light source on the inside of the innermost cylinder and showing theindication on the outermost cylinder when the apertures are in line.Similar modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the inr vention as described andclaimed.

I claim:

l. In combination, a plurality of superimposed charts adjust-ablymounted to move upon a support in a common direction in parallel paths,a plurality of similar and parallel rows of characters parallel to saidpaths on each chart, said rows on all of said charts being normally inregister, means preselecting one character on each chart representing inorder a known character series, means for moving each of said charts insaid common direction along said paths a predetermined distancecorresponding to a related number of rows, said moved chartsrepresenting in order a known character series, and means for indicatingwhen said preselected characters are in alignment normal to the planesof said charts.

2. In combination, a plurality of superimposed charts adjustably mountedto move upon a support in a common direction in parallel paths, aplurality of similar and parallel rows of characters parallel to saidpaths on each chart, said rows on all of said charts being normally inregister, means preselecting one character on each chart representing inorder a known character series, means for setting stops for limitingmovement of each of said charts along said paths a predetermineddistance corresponding to a related number of rows, said moved chartsrepresenting in order a known character series, means for releasing saidcharts, means for moving said charts along said paths against saidstops, and means for indicating when said preselected characters are inalignment normal to the planes of said charts.

3. In combination, a plurality of superimposed charts adjustably mountedto move upon a support in a. common direction in parallel paths, aplurality of similar and parallel rows of characters parallel to saidpaths on each chart, said rows on all of said charts being normally inregister, means preselecting one character on each chart representing inorder a known character series, means for setting stops for limitingmovement of each of said charts along said paths a predetermineddistance corresponding to a related number of rows, said moved chartsrepresenting in order a known character series, means for simultaneouslyreleasing said charts against said stops, and means for indicating whensaid preselected characters are in alignment normal to the planes ofsaid charts.

4, In combination, a plurality of superimposed charts adjustably mountedto move upon a support in a common direction in parallel paths, aplurality of similar and parallel rows of characters parallel to saidpaths on each chart, said rows on all of said charts being normally inregister, means preselecting one character on each chart representing inorder a known character series, means for setting stops for limitingmovement of each of said charts along said paths a predetermineddistance corresponding to a related number of rows, said moved chartsrepresenting in order a known character series, means for simultaneouslyreleasing said charts against said stops, means for indicating when saidpreselected characters are in alignment normal to the planes of saidcharts, and means for returning said charts to starting position afteralignment trial.

HAROLD A. HIGHSTONE

